Chemical mechanical polishing pad with micro-holes

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a chemical mechanical polishing pad formed at a polishing surface thereof with micro-holes each having a desired cross-sectional area while having a desired depth. The shape, size, and density of the micro-holes can be optionally adjusted. The chemical mechanical polishing pad provides an effect of maintaining a desired polishing rate during a polishing process. In accordance with the present invention, the micro-holes can have diverse arrangements depending on given process conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 10/110,801, filed Jun. 12, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a polishing pad used in a chemical mechanical polishing process, and more particularly to a polishing pad formed with micro-holes at the surface thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is a high precision/mirrored surface polishing method used to obtain global planarization in a semiconductor device manufacturing process. In accordance with such CMP, a slurry is supplied between a polishing pad and a wafer to be polished, so as to chemically etch the surface of the wafer. Using the polishing pad, the etched surface of the wafer is mechanically polished.

Referring to FIG. 1, a typical CMP machine, which is denoted by the reference numeral 1, is schematically illustrated. Also, a CMP method using the CMP machine 1 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The CMP method includes a chemical etching reaction process and a mechanical polishing process, which are conducted using a polishing pad 10 included in the CMP machine 1. The chemical etching reaction is carried out by a slurry 42. That is, the slurry 42 serves to chemically react with the surface of a wafer 30 to be polished, thereby making it possible for the mechanical polishing process, following the chemical etching reaction, to be easily carried out. In the mechanical polishing process, the polishing pad 10, which is fixedly mounted on a platen 20, rotates. The wafer 30, which is firmly held by a retainer ring 32, rotates while oscillating. A slurry containing abrasive particles is supplied to the polishing pad 10 by a slurry supply means 40. The supplied slurry is introduced between the polishing pad 10 and the wafer 30. The introduced abrasive particles come into frictional contact with the wafer 30 by virtue of a relative rotating speed difference between the polishing pad 10 and the wafer 30, so that they conduct mechanical polishing. The slurry 42 is a colloidal liquid containing abrasive particles having a grain size of nanometers. This slurry 42 is spread on the polishing pad 10 during the polishing process. As the polishing pad 10 rotates during the polishing process, the slurry 42 supplied to the polishing pad 10 is outwardly discharged from the periphery of the polishing pad 10 due to a centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the polishing pad 10. In order to achieve an enhanced polishing efficiency, many abrasive particles should remain for a desirable lengthy period of time on the upper surface of the polishing pad 10 so that they participate in the polishing of the wafer. That is, the polishing pad 10 should make the slurry 42 be held on the surface thereof for as long a period of time as possible.

In order to make the slurry be held on the polishing pad for a long period of time, a method has been proposed which forms spherical microcells having a diameter of micrometers (μm). The slurry supplied onto the polishing pad during a polishing process is stored in the microcells, and flows out from the microcells due to a pressure from a wafer applied thereto. Thus, the slurry participates in the polishing of the wafer. The microcells also serve to store debris separated from the wafer during the polishing process. The debris stored in the microcells is outwardly pumped out when the polishing pad is conditioned.

Conventionally, the formation of microcells at the polishing pad is achieved using a physical method in which hollow microelements each having a cavity are physically incorporated in a polymeric matrix to form microcells, or a foaming method in which bubbles are chemically formed to form microcells.

The incorporation of microelements in a polymeric matrix is achieved by impregnating a large amount of microelements each having a cavity into a polymeric matrix in such a fashion that the microelements are uniformly distributed in the polymeric matrix, thereby forming microcells. The polymeric matrix is prepared by mixing a curing agent with a resin such as urethane, polyester, fluorinated hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof. For the microelements, inorganic salt, sugar, water soluble gum, or resin is mainly used. Such microelements are made of polyvinyl alcohol, pectin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, polyurethane or a combination thereof. Such microelements have an average diameter of about 150 μm. The microelements are uniformly distributed over the polymeric matrix in accordance with a high shear mixing process, so that they form uniform microcells. Referring to FIG. 3, microcells formed using the cavity bodies are illustrated. The pad formed with microcells in the above mentioned manner is subsequently cut into pieces each having a desired thickness to obtain a polishing pad. In each cut piece, microcells randomly distributed in the pad are opened at the cut surfaces of the cut piece, so that they are exposed in the form of a circular or oval cross section at the cut surfaces of the cut piece. The sizes and positions of the micro-cell cross sections exposed at the polishing surface of each polishing pad are random. Such random size and position of the exposed microcell cross sections serves to degrade a desired uniformity among polishing pads.

In accordance with the chemical method in which cells are formed using a foaming process, a polymeric matrix is formed by mixing a curing agent with a liquid-phase polyurethane forming substance having a low boiling point. Water or liquefied gas, which directly takes part in a chemical reaction to generate gas, is also used as a foaming agent, thereby producing bubbles to form cells in the polymeric matrix. The production of bubbles is achieved by way of a nucleation caused by a high shear mixing operation. A surfactant, which serves to achieve a reduction in surface tension, is also used to adjust the size of microcells, thereby achieving a desired uniformity of micro-cells. Microcells formed using the foaming process are shown in FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 4, this method has a disadvantage in that it is impossible to form microcells having a uniform size on the polishing pad. Since the microcells formed in accordance with the foaming process exhibit expansion characteristics which vary depending on a variation in temperature to which they are subjected, they may vary in size depending on an amount of heat generated in a curing process.

The microcells formed using microelements each having a cavity or a foaming process have a spherical structure having a circular or oval cross-sectional shape. Due to such a shape, the microcells have a cross section varying in the thickness direction of the polishing pad. For this reason, the cross section of each microcell exposed at the polishing surface of the polishing pad is varied as the polishing pad is abraded during a polishing process. In other words, circular or oval microcells exposed at the polishing surface of the polishing pad are gradually reduced in diameter as the polishing process proceeds, and finally disappear. Eventually, microcells existing below the surface of the polishing pad without being exposed, are newly exposed at the polishing surface of the polishing pad.

Thus, the cross section of each microcell exposed at the polishing surface of the polishing pad is varied as the polishing pad varies in thickness during the polishing process. For this reason, there is a problem in that the polishing rate is non-uniform.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the problems involved with microcells formed using microelements each having a cavity or a foaming process. The present invention proposes a polishing pad having micro-holes capable of effectively storing and discharging a slurry to maintain a desired polishing rate while performing the same function as microcells.

An object of the invention is to provide a polishing pad having micro-holes of a uniform size distributed to have a pattern selected from diverse patterns by the user, the micro-holes maintaining a desired cross-sectional area irrespective of a variation in the thickness of the polishing pad occurring during a polishing process.

Another object of the invention is to provide a polishing pad having micro-holes having a controlled size, shape and density, thereby being capable of securing an optimal processing condition to achieve an improvement in polishing efficiency.

In order to accomplish these objects, the present invention provides a CMP pad formed at a polishing surface thereof with micro-holes having a uniform cross-sectional area while having a desired depth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of a typical CMP machine and a polishing method performed using the CMP machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the concept of a CMP method;

FIG. 3 is a photograph of microcells formed using microelements each having a cavity;

FIG. 4 is a photograph of microcells formed using a foaming method;

FIG. 5 a is a photograph showing the cross-sectional structure of micro-holes formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 b is a photograph showing the plan structure of micro-holes formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating micro-holes formed to have an angle with respect to a polishing surface in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 a is a concept diagram illustrating an arrangement of micro-holes according to the present invention;

FIGS. 7 b and 7 c illustrate examples of micro-hole arrangements according to the present invention, respectively; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a polishing pad having radial micro-hole regions where micro-holes are distributed while having different densities, respectively.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, the present invention will be described in detail in terms of its constitution and function, with reference to the annexed drawings.

The present invention provides a CMP pad used in a CMP process and characterized by micro-holes formed at a polishing surface thereof. Each of the micro-holes according to the present invention is opened at its upper ends thereof and has a uniform cross-sectional area. FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show the cross-sectional and plane structures of the micro-holes according to the present invention, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the micro-holes formed in accordance with the present invention have a uniform diameter and a uniform distribution. The micro-holes of FIGS. 5 a and 5 b have a circular cross section. However, these micro-holes may have diverse shapes such as an oval shape, a polygonal shape, for example, a triangular shape or a rectangular or square shape, and a star shape. In the case of micro-holes having a circular cross section, they preferably have a diameter of about 10 to 200 μm.

Typically, the micro-holes extend in a direction perpendicular to the polishing surface of the polishing pad. However, they may extend inclinedly with respect to the polishing surface. Referring to FIG. 6, a micro-hole is illustrated which forms angles α, β and γ with respect to x, y, and z axes of the polishing pad, respectively. Here, the angles α, β and γ are more than 0°, but less than 90° (0°<α, β, γ<90°).

Preferably, each micro-hole has a cross-sectional area ranging from about 10 μm² to 10 mm². Also, each micro-hole has a depth ranging from 0.01 of the thickness of the polishing pad but smaller than the thickness of the pad. A depth less than 0.01 undesirably leads to abrasion in the polishing pad during the polishing process, thereby quickly removing the micro-holes formed in the polishing surface. Typically, the CMP pad comprises a polishing pad for polishing the wafer and a substrate pad which is located between the polishing pad and the polishing platen to be bonded to the polishing pad. Therefore, in a case where the micro-holes are formed to a thickness and depth equal to those of the polishing pad, that is, perforated in the polishing pad, the slurry penetrates into a bonding surface between the polishing pad and the substrate pad, thereby separating them from each other due to a weakened bonding force.

In accordance with the present invention, such micro-holes may have a triangular arrangement defined by a base a, a height b, and an angle β between both sides, as shown in FIG. 7 a. FIGS. 7 b and 7 c illustrate examples of micro-hole arrangements based on such a triangular arrangement, respectively.

The micro-holes formed on the polishing pad according to the present invention may have an arrangement selected from diverse arrangements in accordance with the size, density and shape desired by the user. In accordance with conventional methods using microelements each having a cavity or a conventional foaming process to form microcells, there is no means capable of adjusting the size, shape, and density of those microcells. In accordance with the present invention, however, it is possible to adjust the shape, size and density of micro-holes so that they meet the optimum condition desired by the user.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an example of the polishing pad formed with micro-holes in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the polishing pad, which has a circular shape, has four radial regions respectively having different micro-hole densities. At each radial region, micro-holes are distributed to have a uniform density, a uniform shape and a uniform cross-sectional area. Alternatively, the polishing pad may be divided into micro-hole regions arranged in a direction other than the radial direction. For example, the polishing pad may have micro-hole regions arranged in a circumferential direction. Thus, the polishing pad of the present invention has an advantage in that its micro-holes are variously arranged so that they achieve the optimum processing condition.

In accordance with the present invention, the formation of micro-holes on the polishing pad may be achieved using a laser, perforating pins or a drilling method. Preferably, a laser machining principle is utilized in accordance with the present invention. The laser machining method is advantageous in that it has a feature of reducing the area of a layer subjected to a thermal deformation. Also, the laser machining method is performed in a non-contact fashion, so that there is no abrasion of the tool. The laser machining method is also capable of precisely machining an article having a complex shape, eliminating generation of noise and vibrations, and maintaining a clean working environment. Also, there is an advantage in that each micro-hole formed by the laser machining method has a smooth and precise inner surface. The laser machining method provides another advantage in that it is possible to freely vary and adjust the shape, size, depth, and density of micro-holes.

The micro-holes of the present invention store the slurry supplied onto the polishing pad during the polishing process, and outwardly pump out the stored slurry by virtue of the pressure from a wafer applied thereto. Thus, the slurry participates in the polishing of the wafer. Although the polishing pad of the present invention varies in thickness as the polishing process proceeds, it can maintain a desired polishing rate because each micro-hole has a uniform cross-sectional area. In particular, the micro-holes are always in an opened state. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to manually open the micro-holes, as different from conventional microcells. The micro-holes also serve to store debris separated from the wafer during the polishing process, and to outwardly pump out the stored debris when the polishing pad is conditioned.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a CMP pad having micro-holes capable of effectively absorbing a slurry while discharging the slurry during a polishing process to maintain a desired polishing rate.

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to freely vary and adjust the shape, size, depth, and density of micro-holes so as to achieve the optimum processing condition. Thus, an enhancement in polishing efficiency is obtained.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes in conjunction with a CMP pad formed with micro-holes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A chemical mechanical polishing pad formed, at a polishing surface thereof, with micro-holes each having a circular cross-section and a uniform cross-sectional area, wherein each of the micro-holes has a depth ranging from 0.01 of the thickness of the polishing pad but smaller than at least the thickness of the polishing pad.
 2. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the micro-holes ranges from 10 μm² to 10 mm².
 3. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 1, wherein each of the micro-holes extends in a direction perpendicular to or inclined from the polishing surface.
 4. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad is divided into at least two micro-hole regions where the micro-holes are distributed while having different cross-sectional areas, different shapes, and/or different densities, respectively.
 5. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 2, wherein the pad is divided into at least two micro-hole regions where the micro-holes are distributed while having different cross-sectional areas, different shapes, and/or different densities, respectively.
 6. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 3, wherein the pad is divided into at least two micro-hole regions where the micro-holes are distributed while having different cross-sectional areas, different shapes, and/or different densities, respectively.
 7. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 1, wherein the micro-holes are formed by a laser.
 8. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 2, wherein the micro-holes are formed by a laser.
 9. The chemical mechanical polishing pad according to claim 3, wherein the micro-holes are formed by a laser. 